Animal Gassing Module

Abstract

An erectable module for gassing animals, the module including a frame and at least one cover being supported by the frame to define a chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A module capable of gassing animals comprising
 an inflatable frame,   at least one cover being supported by the inflatable frame to define a chamber; and   a means of introducing a noxious gas into the chamber to gas animals.   
     
     
         2 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame is formed from an interconnected three-dimensional lattice of inflatable tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame is adapted to be connected together in series with one or more additional inflatable frames so as to form a module network. 
     
     
         4 . The module of  claim 2 , wherein each of the inflatable tubes comprises an internal bladder and an external sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame is unitary. 
     
     
         6 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame comprises discrete sections adapted to be connected together. 
     
     
         7 . The module of  claim 3 , wherein the module network comprises conduits for circulating gas around the module network. 
     
     
         8 . The module of  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable tubes include a relief valve. 
     
     
         9 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the module network comprises a removable roof portion. 
     
     
         10 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         11 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the noxious gas is used to euthanize or anesthetize the animals. 
     
     
         12 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the noxious gas is trapped in a liquid to produce foam and released inside the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the noxious gas is trapped in a solid such as absorbent granules and released inside the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . A method of euthanizing chickens on a free-range farm having a barn, the method comprising:
 (a) installing one or more modules defining a gas chamber outside a barn;   (b) ejecting chickens from the barn during the day,   (c) closing the doors to the barn so as to prevent the chickens from re-entering the barn;   (d) opening the one or more modules before nightfall;   (e) allowing the chickens to roost underneath the one or more modules;   (f) sealing the one or more modules; and   (g) gassing the chickens.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of euthanizing chickens on a free-range farm having a barn, the method comprising:
 (a) installing one or more modules defining a gas chamber adjacent to a door of a barn;   (b) driving chickens through the door and into the one or more modules;   (c) closing the door to the barn;   (d) sealing the one or more modules; and   (e) gassing the chickens.   
     
     
         17 . An erectable module for gassing animals inside an animal shelter, comprising
 one or more retractable covers to define a chamber within an animal shelter.   
     
     
         18 . The erectable module of  claim 17 , wherein the animal shelter is a barn for poultry. 
     
     
         19 . The erectable module of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more covers comprise a first awning which is drawn down from a roof of the barn and a second awning which is drawn beneath a floor of the barn, so that the first and second awnings form the chamber with the barn. 
     
     
         20 . A module capable of gassing animals comprising
 an inflatable frame;   at least one cover being supported by the inflatable frame to define a chamber; and   a means of introducing an immobilising substance into the chamber to immobilise the animals.   
     
     
         21 . A module capable of gassing animals comprising
 an inflatable frame; and   at least one cover being supported by the frame to define a chamber, wherein the inflatable frame is adapted to dock with a door of an animal enclosure so that the animals can be directed into the inflatable frame.